Kurt Zouma of Stoke City in action during the Premier League match between Everton and Stoke City at Goodison Park on August 12, 2017 in Liverpool, England.

"Usually if a player is not playing or he's not got the game time he and his club expected then sometimes you can have a conversation if nothing is in place.

"You can go through a process where people think it's better that he goes back to his parent club but clearly that isn't the case with Kurt and there's nothing in place so he won't go back."

Chelsea and Stoke were in a similar situation two seasons ago when the Blues recalled Marco Van Ginkel when all parties mutually agreed on an early termination of the loan. The Dutchman then moved to PSV Eindhoven on loan.

Chelsea also recalled Nathan Ake in January last season after he impressed at Bournemouth, but it looks increasingly unlikely Zouma will follow suit out of Stoke City as Hughes may even try and sign him permanently next summer.

Paul Joannou

Freelance Sports Journalist. Also work for Sportsbeat, previously published in the Birmingham Mail, Express and Star, Football League Paper, Non-League Paper, Rugby Paper and WSL. Have also worked for Chesterfield FC and BBC Sport. Based in Walsall.